Image of God (Genesis 1:26-28)
Sermon Summary
Brother Daniel
15 November 2020
Question: “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever (Is. 43:7; 1 Cor 10:30; Mt. 5:16).
We were created to glorify God, and indeed our hearts do not rest until we are glorifying (or bringing attention to) God.
We are created in God’s image to reflect who He is by the threefold command, multiplying, subduing the earth and having dominion. God blessed us in these commands and they became the foundation for all things we enjoy.
We love to multiply into community, reflecting God as He exists in community of Father, Son and Spirit. Therefore we called to love our neighbour as ourselves, weep with those who weep, laugh with those who laugh and enjoy deep relationships. Unfortunately we seek our satisfaction in false avenues such as watching dramas, romance novels, Facebook and Instagram.
We love to subdue and have dominion, organize, create, and bring order to the world around us. In doing so we reflect the God of order and creativity. We tend towards these activities because we are made in God’s image. But we are too easily satisfied with computer games, puzzles, financial success and other temporary thrills. We need to repent and live in reality, bringing glory to God by reflecting Him properly.
As Christians we are not merely in the image of God, we are born from above and we are being conformed into the image of Christ. Jesus also gave us a threefold command which is a further extension of the original creation mandate. In Matthew 28:18-20 we are told to multiply (by making disciples) and extend the dominion of God throughout the world by subduing people into His kingdom through preaching the good news.
Humans created in the image of God must necessarily reflect Him through multiplication, subduing and having dominion to remain sane and happy.
Christians being conformed to the image of Christ must necessarily obey the threefold command in Matthew 28 and work towards the extension of His kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel. Any Christian who isn’t involved in Jesus’ mission to the world will necessarily be sick in their Christian life. It starts with reaching out to your neighbours, friends, and co-workers.
May God be gracious to us in stirring our hearts to see real change in Auckland and the extension of His kingdom through the preaching of the good news.